For the last 5 years we have gone to Yankee Springs State Park for their annual Fall Festival Weekend. It is more often than not that we pack gloves, hats, winter coats, boots, and bring an insane amount of wood. Generally the fire is going all day long just to keep warm. This year however, we were pleasantly suprised to wear summer-like attire. We may never experience a weekend like that again.
We get together with our great friends the Robach's, Koster's and Ryktarsyk's. Friday night is usually a "see who sets-up last" event followed by a late campfire. Saturday is chock-full of activity. The kids get to paint pumkins, make crafts, play games, get tattoos, and go fishing. It is one of the best places to be a kid. The adults make time go by with meaningless conversation and watching football/baseball/racing - whatever is on that day. We also do our annual "Turkey-in-a-Can" dinner. We start the turkey at about 3ish, let it cook for 2 hours and then we enjoy a closely matched Thanksgiving Dinner. We are always amazed at how good it tastes! Following dinner, the kids get their costumes on and we "trick or treat" around the entire park. It is quite a sight to see!
A big highlight this year was that our friend Tim got to celebrate his 40th birthday. It was a bit premature, a couple weeks early, but we thought it would be most fitting to help him ease into being 40 with a personalized tombstone. We had more fun keeping it a secret and placing it on our campsite without him knowing. Thanks, Tim, for letting us have this time to celebrate!
We end our weekend with a Sunday brunch which never fails to leave us all overly fed. These times are priceless and the friendships that have formed over the years have been such a blessing. The kids look forward to it each year but I think the adults enjoy it just as much, if not more.
Here's a few pictures from the trip this year!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Consistently Inconsistent
This is my fear in blogging - my inconsistency in updates.
What I've written thus far has been pretty specific and the purpose has been mainly for updates on Jaime. We are in a "holding" pattern right now. He is feeling well and will continue to be checked every 3 months for the levels of his liver enzymes. His doctor in GR would like to schedule another ERCP but we're trying to work our way around it. U of M didn't think he should have another unless his enzyme levels go up. There is increased risk each time he has one done. We are working to get both doctors on the same page.
The kids continue to grow, regardless of what I say. Nate and Kate are both doing well in school which is huge blessing to me personally. I've contemplated "home-schooling" mostly out of fear. I'm not opposed to it but for right now, in these elementary years, things are going well. Nolan is learning new words every day! His 2nd birthday is only a few weeks away. AMAZING! How did we get here so fast?
On a personal note, I write this blog with a heart that is burdened with a need to share a story with you. When we had been at our church for about a year, I had the great privilege of meeting my friend Kristin. Kristin and I are not "close" but someone that I truly admire. She has twins who are about 7 months older than Nolan. We met frequently in the foyer during the church service as we took care of our boys who were unable to be in nursery or the service for one reason or another. Kristin's husband, Ryan, passed away in June after a long, heroic battle with Cystic Fibrosis.
Throughout the last year she has been through so much. Ryan was sent to U of M Hospital for a lung transplant. However, things didn't go as we had all hoped and he never recieved the transplant. She's now a single mom raising two-year old twins. She knows without a doubt that Ryan is completely healed now and that he's home in heaven.
Her testimony through this entire walk, which began well before I met her, has never wavered. She shares through her blog the many challenges, joys, struggles, and triumphs that she faces each day. I can't adequately express how much of an inspiration she has been to those around her. Kristin is open and honest about the things that she faces daily yet she boldly proclaims that her rest comes from the Lord. It's almost a modern-day Psalms when you read her blog. She writes often about the promises that God's Word has for all of us and you know, without a doubt, that He is her Rock.
With the holidays coming, we are so easily entangled in busyness. However, I'd ask that you join me in praying for Kristin. As she presses on in the race set before her, pray that she would have an abundance of strength, rest and comfort to go through the holidays.
What I've written thus far has been pretty specific and the purpose has been mainly for updates on Jaime. We are in a "holding" pattern right now. He is feeling well and will continue to be checked every 3 months for the levels of his liver enzymes. His doctor in GR would like to schedule another ERCP but we're trying to work our way around it. U of M didn't think he should have another unless his enzyme levels go up. There is increased risk each time he has one done. We are working to get both doctors on the same page.
The kids continue to grow, regardless of what I say. Nate and Kate are both doing well in school which is huge blessing to me personally. I've contemplated "home-schooling" mostly out of fear. I'm not opposed to it but for right now, in these elementary years, things are going well. Nolan is learning new words every day! His 2nd birthday is only a few weeks away. AMAZING! How did we get here so fast?
On a personal note, I write this blog with a heart that is burdened with a need to share a story with you. When we had been at our church for about a year, I had the great privilege of meeting my friend Kristin. Kristin and I are not "close" but someone that I truly admire. She has twins who are about 7 months older than Nolan. We met frequently in the foyer during the church service as we took care of our boys who were unable to be in nursery or the service for one reason or another. Kristin's husband, Ryan, passed away in June after a long, heroic battle with Cystic Fibrosis.
Throughout the last year she has been through so much. Ryan was sent to U of M Hospital for a lung transplant. However, things didn't go as we had all hoped and he never recieved the transplant. She's now a single mom raising two-year old twins. She knows without a doubt that Ryan is completely healed now and that he's home in heaven.
Her testimony through this entire walk, which began well before I met her, has never wavered. She shares through her blog the many challenges, joys, struggles, and triumphs that she faces each day. I can't adequately express how much of an inspiration she has been to those around her. Kristin is open and honest about the things that she faces daily yet she boldly proclaims that her rest comes from the Lord. It's almost a modern-day Psalms when you read her blog. She writes often about the promises that God's Word has for all of us and you know, without a doubt, that He is her Rock.
With the holidays coming, we are so easily entangled in busyness. However, I'd ask that you join me in praying for Kristin. As she presses on in the race set before her, pray that she would have an abundance of strength, rest and comfort to go through the holidays.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Blessings
Our friend Greg has been saying that he was praying specifically for the liver enzymes numbers to come down. We were praying that they would just remain steady. Well...thanks, Greg, for asking boldly. We received word today that the liver enzymes have come down (they are still high compared to where they should be) and that the tumor markers are in the normal range as well.
That's great news! It means that Jaime won't have to have an ERCP right now at U of M and that he can remain on the medication that has been helping his back. WHAT A BLESSING! They will check his enzymes every 3 months to keep a careful eye on them and we'll watch him at home for jaundice. Unless he has any complications, we aren't planning on returning to U of M until October 2009. Our favorite gastroenterologist, Dr. Rupp, will monitor him here in Grand Rapids.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Hmmm...
My word choice to describe the day today. The kids spent the night at Honey and Grandpa's house last night so that Jaime and I could get an EARLY start for U of M. We were able to meet with Dr. Su, Gastroenterologist at U of M, to discuss Jaime's current health and prognosis. We walked away neither encouraged nor discouraged. Just kind of...hmmm.
Dr. Su agreed that we were definitely justified in coming to meet with her. Jaime's disease is progressing and on the MELD score (Model End-Stage Liver Disease) he's between a 9 and 10. She said that when you're at a score of 15, things are pretty bad and without a transplant at that point, survival is not likely. HOWEVER, it could take another few years before he reaches that score or things could go quickly - it really is a very unpredictable disease.
We walked away with a little bit more knowledge, whether we wanted it or not, regarding the Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer). There really is not a good test to detect the cancer. The ERCP that Jaime had done a couple of weeks ago indicated no cancer, but as Dr. Su said, it's not always able to detect it. Dr. Su sent Jaime for some more blood work to check the liver enzymes again as well as some tumor markers.
Our current plan of action is this: If the liver enzymes have remained steady, although elevated, and tumor markers are clear, we will plan on going back to U of M in a year. We would continue to monitor his enzymes every few months with his gastroenterologist here in Grand Rapids. However, if the enzymes are elevated even more, Jaime will have to go back to U of M for an ERCP and further evaluation. We are praying that the enzymes level off and no ERCP will be needed.
We were thankful for the opportunity to meet with Dr. Su again. The first appointment with her last year left us feeling like we had wasted our time and theirs and left with more questions than answers. This time, however, the appointment was beneficial in laying out a "game plan" for this unpredictable disease.
We can't adequately express how grateful we are for the many family and friends that have been faithfully praying for us. Even in light of mixed reports we have such an overwhelming sense of peace. Regardless of the road we'll travel in the next few days, months, or years, we rest in knowing that God is able to sustain us each step of the way.
"For I know the plans I have for you..." - Jeremiah 29:11a
Dr. Su agreed that we were definitely justified in coming to meet with her. Jaime's disease is progressing and on the MELD score (Model End-Stage Liver Disease) he's between a 9 and 10. She said that when you're at a score of 15, things are pretty bad and without a transplant at that point, survival is not likely. HOWEVER, it could take another few years before he reaches that score or things could go quickly - it really is a very unpredictable disease.
We walked away with a little bit more knowledge, whether we wanted it or not, regarding the Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer). There really is not a good test to detect the cancer. The ERCP that Jaime had done a couple of weeks ago indicated no cancer, but as Dr. Su said, it's not always able to detect it. Dr. Su sent Jaime for some more blood work to check the liver enzymes again as well as some tumor markers.
Our current plan of action is this: If the liver enzymes have remained steady, although elevated, and tumor markers are clear, we will plan on going back to U of M in a year. We would continue to monitor his enzymes every few months with his gastroenterologist here in Grand Rapids. However, if the enzymes are elevated even more, Jaime will have to go back to U of M for an ERCP and further evaluation. We are praying that the enzymes level off and no ERCP will be needed.
We were thankful for the opportunity to meet with Dr. Su again. The first appointment with her last year left us feeling like we had wasted our time and theirs and left with more questions than answers. This time, however, the appointment was beneficial in laying out a "game plan" for this unpredictable disease.
We can't adequately express how grateful we are for the many family and friends that have been faithfully praying for us. Even in light of mixed reports we have such an overwhelming sense of peace. Regardless of the road we'll travel in the next few days, months, or years, we rest in knowing that God is able to sustain us each step of the way.
"For I know the plans I have for you..." - Jeremiah 29:11a
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
To blog or not to blog...
The hardest part of starting a blog, as I've discovered, is figuring out where to begin. Jumping in at the present makes sense but it's hard to start at "now" when so much has happened in the past. Bear with me as I give it my best shot.
We've just gotten back into the school year routine and things seem to be falling back into "normal." Nathan is in 5th grade, the same grade that Jaime teaches but in a different school. When Jaime first started teaching, 5th grade seemed so far away and yet here we are with our own 5th grader. TIME FLIES!!! Nate's great love is fishing. It's just unfortunate that school has to interfere with that!
Kaitlyn is already in 3rd grade and is our ever-active, always smiling, sweet girl. She has a personality that closely matches her Grandpa Rinks in that she enjoys agitating yet is sensitive to other people's needs.
Nolan, our trail-behind blessing, will be two in November. He is growing quickly and everyday seems to have added another word to his vocabulary. It has been fun for all of us, especially Nate & Kate, to watch him grow and change. He LOVES his brother and sister and is always learning from them.
Jaime is in his 6th year of teaching 5th grade - which is where some of our story starts to unravel. During his first year of teaching he got sick Thanksgiving weekend. We thought he just caught a bug from working in the school. At about the same time we applied for new life insurance through a different company and they came to do the typical preliminary testing for insurance approval. By the time we recieved the results from the life insurance company it was the middle of December and Jaime was still not feeling well. He had lost almost 20 lbs and was very fatigued with much pressure in his stomach/liver area. The insurance company called us to say that they could not offer Jaime life insurance and that he needed to call his doctor right away. They faxed his blood test results to his doctor and sooner than later we were on our way to a life-changing diagnosis.
After much testing, Jaime was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. The doctor that called with the results of the PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) suggested that we look into the "Family Medical Leave Act" because things were not good. Thankfully, it never came to that. After meeting with a gastroenterologist, a treatment plan was devised and Jaime began taking medication for both diseases. At one point he was taking 30 pills a day to get things under control. The medication worked effectively enough to get the Crohn's Disease under control, Jaime gained some weight back and the pressure in his stomach/liver subsided.
The years that followed were generally good with a few flare-ups but never any hospitalizations. What a blessing! Jaime had an additional diagnosis of Spondiloarthritis made back in 2005 when he was having so much back pain he could hardly walk. Thankfully again, medication helped to bring relief.
So here we are today. Every 6 months Jaime has blood work done to monitor liver function by checking the liver enzymes. The three that they check have been slightly elevated above normal but they've remained mostly steady. He has had a liver biopsy, many MRCP's, ERCP's and an ultrasound or two. All are used to monitor how the PSC is progressing. Up until about a month ago it seemed that the disease was progressing very slowly.
Last month the blood work revealed that his enzymes were elevated even more that normal. He had an MRCP (an MRI with a contrasting agent) that showed more stricturing in his bile ducts. He then had an ERCP (down the throat and into the bile ducts) to check for bile duct cancer. The results came back as negative for cancer but that the disease is progressing. We are now being referred back to U of M hospital to meet with the liver transplant center. We will be going there on October 3 to see what our next step will be.
What's important to know is that Jaime is feeling well. He does not have any pain but is a little bit more tired than he'd like to be. It's also vitally important to understand that God has been so gracious and good during all of this. It's not just the "thing to say" but a genuine response to His faithfulness. We've been blessed in so many ways. I know that many of you have held us up in prayer and we are grateful for the prayer warriors on our behalf.
Obviously, Jaime isn't writing this blog because in his eyes it would be too much about him. We'll be sure to keep you posted as we meet with U of M next week. Thanks to you all for the prayers, encouraging words and cards. We're truly blessed to be a part of God's family.
We've just gotten back into the school year routine and things seem to be falling back into "normal." Nathan is in 5th grade, the same grade that Jaime teaches but in a different school. When Jaime first started teaching, 5th grade seemed so far away and yet here we are with our own 5th grader. TIME FLIES!!! Nate's great love is fishing. It's just unfortunate that school has to interfere with that!
Kaitlyn is already in 3rd grade and is our ever-active, always smiling, sweet girl. She has a personality that closely matches her Grandpa Rinks in that she enjoys agitating yet is sensitive to other people's needs.
Nolan, our trail-behind blessing, will be two in November. He is growing quickly and everyday seems to have added another word to his vocabulary. It has been fun for all of us, especially Nate & Kate, to watch him grow and change. He LOVES his brother and sister and is always learning from them.
Jaime is in his 6th year of teaching 5th grade - which is where some of our story starts to unravel. During his first year of teaching he got sick Thanksgiving weekend. We thought he just caught a bug from working in the school. At about the same time we applied for new life insurance through a different company and they came to do the typical preliminary testing for insurance approval. By the time we recieved the results from the life insurance company it was the middle of December and Jaime was still not feeling well. He had lost almost 20 lbs and was very fatigued with much pressure in his stomach/liver area. The insurance company called us to say that they could not offer Jaime life insurance and that he needed to call his doctor right away. They faxed his blood test results to his doctor and sooner than later we were on our way to a life-changing diagnosis.
After much testing, Jaime was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. The doctor that called with the results of the PSC (Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis) suggested that we look into the "Family Medical Leave Act" because things were not good. Thankfully, it never came to that. After meeting with a gastroenterologist, a treatment plan was devised and Jaime began taking medication for both diseases. At one point he was taking 30 pills a day to get things under control. The medication worked effectively enough to get the Crohn's Disease under control, Jaime gained some weight back and the pressure in his stomach/liver subsided.
The years that followed were generally good with a few flare-ups but never any hospitalizations. What a blessing! Jaime had an additional diagnosis of Spondiloarthritis made back in 2005 when he was having so much back pain he could hardly walk. Thankfully again, medication helped to bring relief.
So here we are today. Every 6 months Jaime has blood work done to monitor liver function by checking the liver enzymes. The three that they check have been slightly elevated above normal but they've remained mostly steady. He has had a liver biopsy, many MRCP's, ERCP's and an ultrasound or two. All are used to monitor how the PSC is progressing. Up until about a month ago it seemed that the disease was progressing very slowly.
Last month the blood work revealed that his enzymes were elevated even more that normal. He had an MRCP (an MRI with a contrasting agent) that showed more stricturing in his bile ducts. He then had an ERCP (down the throat and into the bile ducts) to check for bile duct cancer. The results came back as negative for cancer but that the disease is progressing. We are now being referred back to U of M hospital to meet with the liver transplant center. We will be going there on October 3 to see what our next step will be.
What's important to know is that Jaime is feeling well. He does not have any pain but is a little bit more tired than he'd like to be. It's also vitally important to understand that God has been so gracious and good during all of this. It's not just the "thing to say" but a genuine response to His faithfulness. We've been blessed in so many ways. I know that many of you have held us up in prayer and we are grateful for the prayer warriors on our behalf.
Obviously, Jaime isn't writing this blog because in his eyes it would be too much about him. We'll be sure to keep you posted as we meet with U of M next week. Thanks to you all for the prayers, encouraging words and cards. We're truly blessed to be a part of God's family.
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